Ferrule



Jan. 26, 1937. CRAVER 2,069,177

FERRULE Filed June 8, 1934 ALBERT F CRAVER IN VENT OR BY wz 4 A TTORNEY Patented Jan. 26, 1937 PATENT OFFICE FERRULE Albert F. Graver, Lakewood, Ohio, assignor to The Cleveland Heater Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application June 8, 1934, Serial No. 729,660

1 Claim. (Cl. 285-122) This invention relates to pipe joints, and more particularly to joints whereby a tight seal may be made at any point along the axis of the pipe.

In particular it has to do with a special type 5 of ferrule, in which a pipe may be slidably fitted, together with the means for forcing engagement of the ferrule with the pipe at any point along the pipe, to provide a water tight joint. In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a section of a. pipe joint showing one form of the fitting.

Figure-2 is a section showing another form of such fitting.

Figure 3 is a detailed view partly in section of 15 the union annulus engaging the ferrule.

Figure 4 is a detailed view partly in section of the ferrule of the type shown in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a detailed view partly in section of the ferrule shown in Figure 2.

'In Figure 1, Ill indicates a pipe adapted to fit into a header or the'like II. It frequently happens that in making connections of this kind the point at which the seal or joint must be made on the pipe cannot be pre-determined, since even in standard plumbing fixtures the location of the fittings may vary. Consequently it is both undesirable and generally impracticable to attempt a threaded or other inflexible connection between the pipe and the member of which it is to be connected. With the types of joints herein shown this difficulty is obviated since the joint will engage at any point along the pipe to provide a tight seal.

The header I I is externally threaded as shown and is provided with a flat surface on which washer I2 is seated. The washer I2 is engaged between the surface on head II and a ferrule I3, the ferrule having an annular skirt portion I4, extending down inside the washer. Ferrule I3 is additionally provided with a. frusto-conical projection I5 extending oppositely from skirt I4. Projection I5 is hollow leaving a space I6, whereby the walls of the projection are made thinner and consequently flexible. Annulus I], having a .chamfered surface I8, engages against the outer surface of the conical projection I5. Annulus I1, is also provided with a shoulder I9, engaged by a corresponding shoulder on a union nut 20, which nut is internally threaded so as to engage with the external thread on header II.

In operation union nut 20, annulus II, ferrule I3, and washer I2, are slipped over pipe Ill. The pipe is then fitted in header II to the desired position. The movable members are then slipped down .over the pipe and engage as shown in Figure 1 with washer I2 engaging the seat on header I I and likewise being engaged against the shoulder on ferrule I3. Annulus II engages against the conical projection l5 and the union nut 2|lis screwed on to header |I. As the nut 2|) is tightened down it forces annulus I'I, axially of the pipe and binds it against ferrule I3; and in so binding two actions result: First, the conical pro- Jection I5 is deformed and forced into an abso lute seal with pipe I0. This is made more perfect by reason of the flexibility of the walls of this projection as provided by the hollow portion I6. Second, in forcing the annulus |I down a. compression joint is provided between the ferrule and header II by means of washer I2. By this joint, then, fluid is prevented from escaping outside the ferrule by means of washer I2, and additionally prevented from escaping within the ferrule by means of the sealed joint made by projection I5.

As an alternative to the above installation the joint may be set up before the pipe is installed, with the elements exclusive of the pipe Ill, being held loosely in the position of Figure 1. The pipe may then be installed through the ferrule to the proper position, after which the joint may be drawn tight.

In operation the modification of Figure 2 is the same as that of Figure 1. In this modification there is a pipe I to be fitted into a header 4|. Header 4| is chamfered as at 42 to provide an edge 43 of annular shape. A ferrule 44 chamfered as at 45 and 46 engages against header 4|. The chamfer of ferrule 44 is less acute than that of header 4| so that edge 43 provides the contact between ferrule 44 and header 4|. The ferrule is hollow as at 4'! to provide two ringlike engagements 48 and 49 with the pipe I0; and also to provide that the walls of the ferrule 44 are flexible. Engaging against the ferrule,

- Opposite to header 4|, is a union nut 50, chamfered as at in a manner corresponding to header 4| so that it provides an edge 52 engaging the chamfer 45 of ferrule 44. Union nut 50 is internally threaded to engage corresponding external threads on header 4|.

In operation union nut 50 and ferrule 44 are slipped over pipe I0, and the pipe engaged into header 4| to the desired position. Union nut 50 is then screwed on to header 4|. Tightening on nut 50 forces engagement between edges 43 and 52 with the corresponding chamfers of ferrule 44. Pressure on these two edges, owing to the flexibility of the walls of the ferrule. deforms the walls and forces ring-like edges 48 and 49 into is formed between the edges 1! and I2 and the ferrule. Thus fluid contained within the header 4i cannot escape outside the ferrule because of the seals at edges ll and '2; nor can it escape within the ferrule because of the seals I and 49. As an alternative to the installation of this joint, before the pipe i0 isplaced into position header 4i, ferrule 44 and union nut 50 may be set up loosely in position as shown in-F'igure 2. I'he pipe l0 may then he slipped into desired position and the union nut 50 tightened to provide a sealed joint.

It will thus be seen that in each of the two joints shown a fluid tight seal has been provided to prevent the escape of liquids contained within the respective headers, either-inside or outside of the ferrules.

. v 9,069,177 a tight seal with pipe ll. Likewisa'a tight Joint diameter adapted to slidably fit the exterior ofthe pipe, said conical extension being deformable upon external pressure to closely fit said pipe exterior.

ALBERT F. CRAVER.

Having described the invention what is claimed 

